MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 113, 22 January 1940, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

TAXI DRIVER FINED OVERLOADING OF TRUCK In the Te Puke Magistrate's Court on Thursday before Mr E. L. Walton. S.M., three charges were brought against Frank 11. Gibbons of Pongakawa, haulage contractor., by Mr R. Gardner, county traffic inspector, the charges being overloading on the road classification and dangerous loading. Mr Gardner, prosecuting, stated that he stopped the truck loaded with timber going in the direction of Papamoa. and took the necessary measurements. It was stated that there was an excessive overhang of timber to ijhc sxtent of 14 feet at the back of the truck, while it was so loaded as to prevent entry or exit without climbing over the timber through the window in the truck doorway.

Defending, Mr J. A. Jamieson stated that the offence Avas committed by an employee who did not realise the regulations governing the loading of trucks. In imposing fines of £2, £1 and £1 Avith costs in each case on the consecutive charges, the Magistrate said that it Avas an employer's duty to see that his employees were keeping within the law. Overloaded Taxi. Driving an overloaded taxi resulted in the conviction and fine of !>os Avith costs of Rawiri Te Poro, of l'e Puke. The county traffiy inspector, prosecuting, stated that he stopped Te Poro at Rangnuu driving eight persons in a iive-sea tcr taxi. Four persons, including the dri\'er, Avere seated in the front, and four in the rear. Mr Gardner slated that he measured the front seat Avhich Avas only alloAving To Poro nir.o inches seating space, and he was ••Irivmg with one arm out of the Avindow. Mr Jamieson stated thai Te Poro had been booked to. run a Maori tennis team to Pongakaw.i, and although he had intended making two trips in A'iew of thj n imbor to carry he had been prevailed upon, and consented to take them alt in one load; he was driving particularly slowly in vieAV of this when apprehended by the inspector. Civil Case. That repeated promises had been made to pay for a mi it. ol clot! f s ordered and delivered several months ago> Avas stated by Erie R. TVartram of Bartranis Limited, in a claim against Jack Shaw, garage mechanic of Te Puke. It Avas stated by Mr Jamieson, appearing for Bartrams. Limited, that a judgment summons had already been issued against ShaAV at the December sitting of the Court, but no effort had been made to pay the amount owing. A sentence of nine days' imp? isonjiiou! was imposed by the Magistral...' default of imnrjdaHe payi,i;r.t.